Ways to $ave Wednesday -- Week 1 Frugal, Homemade Christmas

I nearly lost my mind when I realized it is only SEVEN weeks until Christmas! ACK! I am so not ready for this. When I was preparing for the next few weeks of frugal, homemade Christmas ideas, my first step was to figure out who and what I needed to buy this year for my Christmas celebrations. My list is long, but my pocketbook is pretty empty, so we are going to have to be creative this year. Thus, I have been having fun researching ideas, many of which I will be using this year.

I love giving gifts. I enjoy spending time thinking of gift ideas, then fulfilling these ideas. I especially enjoy the surprised looks and expressions of joy people show when they get an item they are unexpecting, but love. I spend all year listening to people and making mental notes on what they like or wish they could have. Thus, I greatly enjoy coming up with gifts to show people I appreciate them.

One of the homemade gifts I like to give to teachers and colleagues is food. Likely it is because I kinda like food and can't imagine anyone else who doesn't, so it is the perfect gift, right? Here are a few of my favorite food gift ideas.

Hot cocoa mix and mug

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Combine 1 cup unsweetened cocoa, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 3 cups powdered milk and a dash of salt. This amount will fill two generously filled 3 1/2 inch x 8 inch cellophane bags. Put bags in a large mug. You could also use jars and decorate each. Instructions to add with the hot cocoa mix are add 3 tablespoons of mix to 6 oz. of hot water and stir.

Jar mixes -- I love to make up mixes and put these in jars. These make fabulous gifts!

Chex cereal has numerous great recipes using their cereal. I have tried a few different recipes from their cereal boxes and my favorites are Muddy Buddies and the Cheesy Ranch. Actually, these were also big hits with my co-workers and my husband's. I have already begun to get requests for more again this year. I'm considering trying this one this year. But this one and this one also sound fabulous! Last year I purchased several plastic holiday tins on clearance after Christmas and I plan to fill these with some great Chex cereal mixes for our co-workers.

I know there are millions of other homemade food items which make great gifts. Breads are always popular (and yummy!). I have not yet tackled those yet myself.

So, what great recipes do each of you have for homemade food type gifts you give at Christmas?

Be sure to join us next Wednesday for more Frugal Homemade Christmas gift ideas.